Chad Ford

(1:01 PM)

Aloha everyone. Thanks for coming to the chat today. We'll take one last look at the 2009 NBA Draft, maybe a little preview for 2010 and then we'll launch into 2009 Free Agency. Let's roll

Darryl Shotton (The Pas, MB)

When do you expect Rubio to be a top 10 point guard in the NBA?

Chad Ford

(1:04 PM)

I'm not even sure Rubio is in the league. From what I can gather there's a very real possibility he will go back to Europe, sign a big contract with a team like Real Madrid or Efes Pilsen and play the next 2 or 3 years there. I'm not sure whether David Kahn is clever or naive. Drafting Rubio and Flynn did give him a little leverage, but it also ticked off the Rubios. If he or Flynn isn't traded, I don't think we'll see him in the NBA for the next few years.

Jeremy (Rochester, NY)

Any shot Khan does his old buddy a favor and trades Rubio to the Knicks?

Chad Ford

(1:06 PM)

No ... what do the Knicks have to offer? I think Kahn wants to keep Rubio ... but he's going about it the wrong way. Telling the kid that they can wait is the wrong tack. They needed to recruit him and instead they slapped him around a bit. And ... I love how everyone is misspelling Kahn's name Khan ... like the Star Trek's Wrath of Khan. "Khannnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!"

Brandon (DC)

Do you think the wizards should have waited until the draft to make a trade? I'm sure some teams would have offered more with rubio still on the board.

Chad Ford

(1:07 PM)

I really like Rubio and yeah, they probably should've waited. However they are trying to compete right now and Mike Miller and Randy Foye are both ready to play. It was a question mark with Rubio.

Joel (Seattle)

What is Thabeet's ceiling as an NBA player? Could it be the highest of anyone in the draft?

Chad Ford

(1:07 PM)

Sure ... if he ever figures out how to play on the offensive end. I think his best case scenario is Dikembe Mutombo. Worst case? Mohammed Saer Sene.

David (Riverside)

Jrue Holliday biggest steal of the draft?

Chad Ford

(1:08 PM)

Probably. He had a shoulder that may require surgery at some point. It scared a few teams away .. but it's a minor injury with no long term effects on his career. They have to be pretty stoked in Philly right now.

Steve (Chicago)

Chad- Do you see the Bulls' draft as a precursor to a deal involving Tyrus (and others) for an impact player?

Chad Ford

(1:09 PM)

I think that's exactly what it is ... you don't draft those two if Thomas is in your long term plans. I think Tyrus will be wearing a different uniform at the start of next season. Ditto for Kirk Hinrich if the Bulls can re-sign Ben Gordon.

Alex (nj)

One more question from a depressed Nets fan.Is there any truth to the rumors that the nets were shopping Harris (to minnesota) before the draft and why in the world would they want to do that? The kid is a young all-star PG with a more then managable salary (something like 8mil per)... Why try to trade him?

Chad Ford

(1:11 PM)

There was a little bit of truth to it. They really liked Ricky Rubio ... but I don't think it will happen.

Jai (Lawrenceville, GA)

Hey Chad, love your work! Why is John Hollinger so down on the Knicks drafts pick when you gave them a grade A?

Chad Ford

(1:12 PM)

Hollinger's draft player rater didn't like Hill or Toney Douglas ... he's using his statistical model to grade the guys. I like Hill, but I have to concede that Hollinger's model is pretty good ... especially the longer a guy plays college basketball.

Gilbert (Erie, Pa )

What was Danny Ferry thinking with drafting Christian Eyenga while Sam Young and Dejuan Blair were still available?

Chad Ford

(1:13 PM)

I'm still trying to figure that one out to. Eyenga may be a young Mickael Pietrus ... but I would've taken both of those guys in a heartbeat over Eyenga. That was definitely a weird one.

jake obrien (andover,MA)

why didnt luke harangody get drafted

Chad Ford

(1:14 PM)

He withdrew from the draft two weeks ago ...Were you on vacation?

Jason (Minneapolis)

Since the Kings were high on Flynn predraft, would they consider a deal including Kevin Martin postdraft? Maybe Flynn, Pekovic, a 2010 #1 (Wolves will probably have three) plus expirings for Martin? Kings get a true PG plus significant cap room in 2010 and Wolves save face by getting the scoring wing to play with Rubio.

Chad Ford

(1:16 PM)

That's not a bad idea and one that's possible ... I do think the Kings would move Martin for the right offer and Tyreke Evans is more of a two ... Get on the phone Khaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnn!

Chad Ford

(1:17 PM)

Please hold for a second guys ... some breaking news I have to handle ... may be a few minutes

Chad Ford

(1:19 PM)

Pistons have fired Michael Curry ...

Aaron (Richmond, VA)

Wow. About the Pistons firing Curry. Wow. Who do you think they should target as a coach and as free agents with their available cash?

Chad Ford

(1:22 PM)

I think Curry had a tough time making the transition to player and confidant to head coach. I especially think he had a difficult relationship with Richard Hamilton after benching Hamilton in favor of Allen Iverson.I can tell you the Pistons are going to go with someone with more head coaching experience ... but I don't know who it will be.

Jason (OKC)

Is Bill Laimbeer the natural fit for the Pistons now?

Chad Ford

(1:23 PM)

He could be ... but it sounded like they wanted someone with more NBA head coaching experience. I'm not sure if the WNBA counts.

Mike (Detroit)

For all the good work Dumars did in putting the Pistons team together, he sure has crumbled it (starting with the infamous Darko pick). Where do they go from here? Overhaul entire team?

Chad Ford

(1:25 PM)

I'm not sure crumbled is the right word. Teams don't last forever and they had a fantastic run ... longer than most teams have had. But they are clearly rebuilding now ... and apparently the Pistons felt like Curry wasn't a great fit.

steve (battle creek , mi)

chad, rumors of pistons adding charlie v and ben gordon. is the "big" moves by joe d? or are we waiting for trades to add the franchise guy to bring it all together? ben and charlie are good complimentary pieces, but championship material, dont know.

Chad Ford

(1:27 PM)

I think Ben Gordon is their top target. But they'll have competition from the Bulls and Thunder. I think Charlie V is another target ... but the Cavs and Mavs will make a run at him too. Last thing the Pistons want to do is overpay Charlie V ...

Casey (Michigan)

I am a pistons fan and I am happy about this, but who are they going to get?

Chad Ford

(1:30 PM)

I think they'll make a run at Doug Collins, Avery Johnson and John Kuester as the darkhorse

Evan (Boston)

Speaking of the Pistons, where do you see Rasheed Wallace ending up? I'm hearing sheed could be wearing celtics green..

Chad Ford

(1:30 PM)

That's the rumor ... Magic, Spurs and Cavs have also been rumored there. And don't totally count out the Bobcats. Sheed and Larry Brown have a good relationship.

Ryan (Los Angeles)

Which Clipper big man gets moved this off-season to make room for Griffin........Kaman, Camby or Randolph? Which teams might be interested?

Chad Ford

(1:32 PM)

They had a draft day deal with Memphis that would've sent Zach for Darko's expiring contract and owner Donald Sterling turned it down. No way they get a better offer than that. Donald Sterling strikes again!!!!

Paul Millsap (SLC)

Settle this bet I have with my agent, The Jazz are willing to match over/under $10M for me? I say under...

Chad Ford

(1:34 PM)

If Boozer returns, and it looks like he will, they'll have to go over the luxury tax to re-sign Millsap. But that's within reason. If he gets a $7-8 million a year offer, the Jazz will match. Any more and they may not be able to afford it. Millsap is good, but not that good.

James (Brooklyn, NY)

Do you think Boozer opts out? How does his decision sway Detroit's free agent plans?

Chad Ford

(1:36 PM)

I think Boozer will opt in to the last year of his contract with Utah. For a while he said he wanted to be a free agent, but he can't find a team willing to pay what he wants. Pistons were the most obvious fit, but they aren't going to give him 13 to 15 million he wants. So he's got to go back to Utah, stay healthy and try again next summer when teams have a lot more cash. I think the Pistons have been expecting this for weeks which is why I've been writing he's not their top priority.

Dixon D (Salina, UT)

If Boozer stays do the Jazz trade him?

Chad Ford

(1:37 PM)

They can try to trade him, but what team will want him knowing he's just going to be a free agent next summer? And remember the Jazz will be over the tax for a year. So they'll need to clear Boozer's salary off the books next summer ... I think this is Boozer's last year as a member of the Jazz.

derek (dallas)

do you really think jason kidd will leave us to sign with the knicks? If the man wants a ring, he really dosen't have a great chance here but he dosen't have a shot at all if he goes to the knicks

Chad Ford

(1:38 PM)

No, I think he' re-signs in Dallas. I think this is a way of generating interest and making sure the Mavs pay up.

Tom Rizzo (Jacksonville, Fl)

What do you think the Knicks should handle balancing free agency with the contracts of David Lee and Nate Robinson?

Chad Ford

(1:39 PM)

It's tough because if they pay them too much, they won't have a lot of money next summer. The Knicks just drafted Jordan Hill and are still VERY high on Danilo Gallinari ... I think they'll probably work either a sign-and-trade to get back something they really need at another position or they'll let him go. I don't think Robinson will be back.

ludwig Hasbauer (Germany)

Technincal question: can a team sign free agents for all the money under the cap, and afterwards sign their first round pick, e.g. the thunder or the kings?

Chad Ford

(1:40 PM)

Sort of. Each pick has a cap hold that eats into their cap room. They don't have to sign them ahead of time, but the league basically counts them toward the cap.

Dan (Williston, VT)

Who are the top 3 free agents the Cavs are likely to target?

Chad Ford

(1:41 PM)

I think Varejao and Charlie V and Sheed will be the guys. Obviously they need more size. Lamar Odom too, if he'd play for the midlevel.

ben (Providence)

Now that Yao is most likely out, whats the liklihood that T-Mac gets traded

Chad Ford

(1:47 PM)

It actually muddies the waters a bit. If Yao is out for good they may want to hold onto him, let his contract expire and try for cap room to rebuild.

Shawn Marion (Too Far North)

Hey Chad - what's my best option for next year?

Chad Ford

(1:47 PM)

Pray the Raptors offer you a big deal. If they don't, I think Marion could be looking at the midlevel from a team like the Cavs or Spurs

Mike (Houston)

Today in the Houston Chronicle there was an article about Houston potentially targeting a trade for Chris Bosh. What is the likelihood of a Battier, Landry, Brian Cook trade for Bosh?

Chad Ford

(1:49 PM)

I know Bosh would love to play in Texas again ... but I think the Raptors can get more for Bosh from a team like Chicago (Tyrus Thomas, draft rights to James Johnson and Ben Gordon in a sign-and-trade) or New York (David Lee in a sign-and-trade and draft rights to Jordan Hill).

Dan (Cleveland)

Chad, You agree with the Bucks' decision not to extend Charlie V a qualifying offer?

Chad Ford

(1:50 PM)

No ... I would've played it out a bit. I think Charlie V being restricted would've cooled his value and they could've got him int eh 4 to 5 million range.

Pete (Philly)

are any teams besides the Sixers interested in Andre Miller?

Chad Ford

(1:51 PM)

Sounds like Portland is ... though I think Kirk Hinrich is their first option

Nadja (Switzerland)

What will the hawks do with their cap? where do you see bibby next year? good chat today!!

Chad Ford

(1:52 PM)

I think they re-sign Marvin Williams and Pachulia. I think Bibby and Josh Childress walk. Still hearing they may, in August, make a Josh Smith trade.

HEDO Turkolugu (Orlando)

Chad supposedly I want 5 year 50million. Do you think i can get it and if so where do i end up?

Chad Ford

(1:53 PM)

I'm skeptical. The Blazers are the one team who might give it to you ... but I'm not sure they will ...Maybe Sacramento ... but for a little less. But they have financial issues. I think time will tell whether it was a good move on Hedo's part.

Ulrich (Germany)

who is best option for Blazers? Hinrich? Turkoglu? Someone else?

Chad Ford

(1:53 PM)

I like Hinrich there ... I think Travis Outlaw is underrated.

Troy (Toronto)

What are the changes (%) that Bosh ends up signing a long term deal in Toronto after his contract expires?

Chad Ford

(1:54 PM)

25%

Mully (Oaktwon)

Any word on the GS Suns Amare deal?

Chad Ford

(1:54 PM)

Sounds like it's dead right now because GS won't include draft rights to Stephen Curry. Personally, I think the Pistons should make a run ...

Alok Shah (Iowa City, Iowa)

Why isn't Marcin Gortat attracting more attention. Dude's a baller!

Chad Ford

(1:57 PM)

I think he's getting a lot of attention ... Min, NY, Dallas, San Antonio, Atlanta, Toronto, Indy ... he's going to get a lot of attention. He's the only big guy out there

rob (Carolina)

Allen Iverson was an all-star starter THIS YEAR, and nobody wants him?

Chad Ford

(1:58 PM)

Pretty much. Fans love him. Coaches don't.

Bobby (DC)

Chad...How do you feel about Ron Artest as a Piston. Blue Collar guy, he's hungry and wants to win. With the exception of the Palace fight (which was started by Ben Wallace). The fans would embrace him...He would guard Lebron, Pierce, and Lewis...seems like a good fit

Chad Ford

(2:00 PM)

Would never happen. If the Rockets don't sign him ... I'm not sure where he goes. Cavs are the only other spot I think

Nick (Denver)

Are the Lakers going to resign Ariza and Odom or drop one and get Artest? Whats the word?!

Chad Ford

(2:01 PM)

I think they'll re-sign Ariza for sure. Less sure about Odom, but probably ... I don't think they need to gamble on Artest. Why? They're already the world champs.

Chad Ford

(2:01 PM)

Gotta run everyone. I had a blast doing the draft and am looking forward to free agency and the summer league. Stay with us ... lots of great stuff this summer ahead.